The organic gardener develops resources for natural soaps that he/she uses in the natural pest/disease program. In the olden days, they made all of their own soap and would trade soaps with others from other areas of the country. A good soap maker often was also well traveled because he had many customers spread out an he would visit them with his current batch of soap. Many would make a batch of soap especially for the gardener, farmer who would use it just for controlling the various pest, diseases even animals on their farms.

How to Use Natural Soaps 
Part 1

For Pest Control


         Natural Castile Soaps can be used very effectively and safely for any type of pest control. It is basically an essential oil and of a very high energy quality level. Perfect for our use! Not too may insects can handle this soap! Only herbs are use to make a concentrate. Many formulas are used for various types of pests and diseases, please see specific pages for their formulas. Below are general formulas you can use for pest control..

Using on Ants
In one quart water add 5 tablespoons Natural Castile Peppermint soap. 
Inside House: Spray inside the house anywhere ants are seen, around windows, in the kitchen, bath room etc. avoid  using on furniture. Outside House: Spray same mixture on ants outside, avoiding spraying on plants. Spray on their ant trails.
 You should switch between using the peppermint, lavender, almond or eucalyptus for best effects. You may have to make stronger as needed. Any other natural soap will do, just read the ingredients and make sure it's 100% natural. For more info on ant control follow this link.

Using on Trees
   

    Natural Soaps can be used very effectively to control many types of pests on trees. I use an inline feeder found at your local store to spray natural soap high up to the trees. I put a special tip on the hose that shoots the water mixed with the soap (at 16 to 1). See also Tree Dept for more info

Using on Roses
  

  Using Natural Soaps on roses is a very safe natural way to control many different types of pests that can attack them. A Basic formula for all roses pests is:  10 tablespoons per quart of water or no more then 1 oz per gallon water. Can be used by itself or mixed with other things to increase its effectiveness. Try adding any of the following to the above formula: 2 tablespoon per quart of water of Crushed Garlic (either oil or strained or try 1 jell pill (the kind you take internally, buy at drug store)), 1 tablespoon per quart water of   Tea Tree oil, 2 tablespoon per quart of water of Castor oil, See Rose dept for more info. Always avoid spraying on hot days (anything over 89 degrees F is bad) Best to spray in early am (if day is not going to get too hot) or in late afternoon. For best results spray for pest at night when they are out!

Using on Vegetables
      

  Learning to use natural soaps to control pests on your vegetables makes a lot of sense for many reasons; the most important one is that it is safe to use. You merely have to remember to wash your vegetables before using. This soap will kill many insects on contact. You have to first find the proper strength, make it too strong and you might kill the plant as well, too weak and it won't work at all. Here then is a general formula that you can use on your vegetables to control insect attacks. Look to the Organic Gardening dept for specific control:     As a preventative:  1 tablespoon Peppermint soap per quart water. Add seaweed per instructions. Spray on vegetables on a regular bases or first sign of trouble.    On specific pests:   5 tablespoons per quart water. Test first on plant/bug to see if it is too strong or strong enough.

Using on Flowers
Again, you will find that using the natural soap is a very safe way to control most bugs on your flowers. Here is a safe formula you can use. Test for strength and effectiveness:   1/2 oz Natural Peppermint soap per gallon water Can be sprayed directly on most flowers. Avoid buds. Spray stems, stalk first and then area around plants.


Using on House Plants
   

   Many house plants will be able to with stand being sprayed with natural soaps. The important thing to remember is strength, always test a small part of the plant first to make sure that you will not burn it. Make sure the plant is not stressed out from lack of water or food. 1 tablespoon Peppermint soap or Lavender soap per quart hot water. Spray before water gets cold. Don't worry, the hot water won't hurt the plants! Honest!

Using in the House for Spiders
While spiders are mainly good guys, you may find that you either have too many of them inside or you have one of the few bad guys! Try using 10 tablespoon Peppermint soap per quart water. Spray directly on spider, watch him/her for a few minutes and see if it dies, if not make stronger (add another 10 tablespoons soap). Only kill spiders as a last resort, please.

Using in the House for Cockroaches
  

   Use Peppermint soap on cockroaches in your home. you must make the spray strong enough to kill them. Try first 10 tablespoons soap per quart water and if that is not strong enough then add another 10 tablespoons. That should do it. I would also goto Cockroach dept and review steps there. Spray in areas there are seen. Try to spray them directly for best control.

Using on Lawns
Natural soaps can control many pests on your natural lawn. It decomposes with sunlight so must be sprayed directly on the pest. I like using natural soaps because they are very friendly to the environment and smell nice too! Try using 1/2 oz soap per gallon water or use inline siphon to spray your lawn with a mixture of soap and water. 

Using on Fruit Trees
      

  Soap is a safe way to control many pests that attack your fruit trees and its valuable fruit. Natural soap is one of the safest you can buy on the market today! It's primary use is to brush you teeth with, bathe with, wash your hair with so you know it's safe. I would get an inline siphon which attaches to bib in which you then attach the hose. A small line goes out from the unit which goes into the soap. Do not spray any buds and should not be sprayed when it is flowering. Wait until after it has finished flowering before you spray. I would wait until you actually have a pest problem before you start spraying. Best to spray trunk and area around tree then actually spray fruit but when fruit is ripe the bugs (ants) will come so be prepared to spray the trunk of the tree and the area around it as well as the fruit wash before eating). This will also protect from birds attacking the fruit and other animals as well. Can't find the siphon unit? Then add 1 oz per gallon water to be sprayed.

Using in the House for Fleas
Natural soap works very well indoors in controlling fleas. Aside from bathing the dog (cats usually don't like being given a bath unless they are taught as young kittens), you can wash the dog or cats bedding with soap as well as mist the area they sleep in with a solution of soap in water. Use 5 tablespoons per quart of water for this. Avoid misting any furniture that you are not sure of the results! Test on a small strip first.

Using in the House for other pests:
  

      Silverfish:   Natural soap can be sprayed directly on them and it will kill them. Try 3 tablespoons soap per quart water.  Pantry Moths:   While it is harder to spray them, you can use the soap to spray the kitchen shelves, etc to remove any eggs.

Using on Animals that eat your plants:
   

      Deer: By spraying soap mix with water on plants that you want to protect, you will be deterring them from any too much. I add Deer Off to make a better mixture. Rabbits: Soap and Deer Off mixed equally and applied at manufacture suggested rate of 1 part concentrate to7 parts water, 1 pint concentrate makes 8 pints spray.



Using on Flies:
Fly control depends of stopping the cycle of fly births. Birth control can be done organically, one method is by using soap. By spraying on places were fly's can lay their eggs such as on manure, rotten food, garbage cans, etc, you can effectively reduce the fly sources.

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